QUESTION:
What do Arktos and Antarktos mean? 

                Andrew R., Seventh grader 
                Cheyenne, Wyoming


ANSWER from Deane Rink, PTK Field Producer
            Tue, 11 Feb 1997 12:21:40 -0500

Dear Andrew,

Arktos means "bear" and is applied to the high latitudes in the 
northern hemisphere because the Bear constellation, Ursa Major, is 
visible there.  Once the northern high latitudes got the name 
"Arctic," it was only natural to name that high latitude area on the 
other side of the globe "Antarktos," or Antarctic, because that means 
"opposite of the Arctic."

Deane Rink
LfA-2 Field Producer